North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center has opened a lactation room at the Leeds Place, which will support the needs of breastfeeding mothers in the area.
Leeds Place is the Guidance Center’s facility in Westbury. It offers various services that the Guidance Center provides, including early childhood programs, counseling and education.
The lactation room was made possible by a grant that the center received from Northwell Health’s Breastfeeding, Resiliency, Engagement and Empowerment (BFREE) team.
“Our lactation room provides access to a safe and welcoming space for nursing mothers to pump milk, breastfeed or chest feed their baby,” says Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, Director of the Leeds Place. “This contributes to the bonding and well-being of both the child and mother, allowing her to care for the health of her baby without feeling shamed or judged.”
“We are so excited to have partnered with the Guidance Center to support parents by creating a pleasant and private lactation-friendly space for their community and employees,” said Pamela Reichert-Anderson, Program Manager of the BFREE team. “By increasing awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and chest feeding, we hope to make communities a more accepting place for parents by normalizing human milk feeding.”
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena showed her support for the initiative and attended the opening at Leeds Place. The room will allow new mothers to have their desired privacy at no additional cost.
“Nursing helps a mother bond with and nourish her baby at no cost. Thanks to this innovative collaboration, a nursing mother can find privacy in a beautiful, quiet room while her family receives vital mental health or substance misuse counseling,” she said. “That’s possible because the Guidance Center and Northwell Health are dedicated to improving access and support for our families.”
She continued: “I’m especially thankful to Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust for her 35 years of care at the Guidance Center, North Hempstead’s Substance Misuse Advisory Committee and our Yes We Can Center. Whether it’s diagnosing and treating maternal depression, supporting grandparents raising children, or assisting nursing mothers, the Guidance Center always leads the way.”
The Guidance Center will be continuing the lactation room initiative by implementing its design in other locations. The facilities in Manhasset and Roslyn will both acquire lactation rooms as well. By providing access to all clients and staff members, the Guidance Center hopes that all new mothers will have a comfortable space to nurse.
